A combination of publicity, heightened scrutiny and a new state law is leading colleges across the state to place more emphasis than ever on preventing and responding to sexual assault.
Matthew Watkins
Matthew Watkins began serving as editor in chief of the Tribune in September 2024. He is a Texas native, born in Houston and raised in Austin. He attended Texas A&M University and has spent his entire professional career in Texas journalism, including stints at The Eagle in Bryan-College Station and The Dallas Morning News. Matthew joined The Texas Tribune in 2015 has held various roles, including higher education reporter, breaking news editor and politics editor. He has helped guide the Tribune's award-winning journalism that has included coverage of six legislative sessions, multiple election cycles, natural disasters and political scandals. He lives in Austin with his wife, Susan, and their two children.
Posted inState Government
UT Review of Athlete Academics to Cost $200,000
Following allegations of cheating by men’s basketball players, the University of Texas at Austin has finalized a contract with the firm of sports lawyer Gene Marsh to review the academic experience of Longhorn athletes.
Posted in
Higher Education
After Closed-Door Session, UT Regents Urge Hall to Drop Suit
UPDATED: University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall was asked to leave a closed-door regents meeting Wednesday in which his lawsuit against UT Chancellor William McRaven was discussed. The regents later voted to urge Hall to drop his lawsuit.
Posted in
Higher Education
A Small Step in Baylor’s Sexual Conduct Policy
It won’t go down as a landmark achievement in gay rights, but a recent change in Baylor University’s student sexual conduct policy has nonetheless heartened gays at the conservative Baptist school.
Posted in
Higher Education
TCU, UNT Teaming Up to Start Medical School
Texas Christian University and the University of North Texas Health Science Center have announced plans to jointly launch a new medical school in Fort Worth.
Posted in
Demographics
At Majority-Minority Schools, Confederate Names Remain
The Tribune identified 28 schools in Texas named after Confederate leaders Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, Stonewall Jackson and Albert Sidney Johnston. Of those, four have a majority of white students.
Posted in
Higher Education
Supreme Court to Again Hear Challenge to UT’s Admissions Rules
The future of the University of Texas at Austin’s use of race in some admissions decisions is again in doubt after the U.S. Supreme Court indicated Monday that it will rehear a challenge to the school’s admissions rules.
Posted in
Higher Education
A Texas Tech Professor Crusades Against Tenure
James Wetherbe of Texas Tech University is the rare professor who thinks tenure is terrible. His opinions have him tangled up in a long-running lawsuit against the university where he teaches.
Posted inState Government
Hall Sues UT System Chancellor to Gain Access to Records
In an effort to gain access to confidential student information, University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall has sued the chancellor of the system he oversees.
Posted in
Higher Education
After Vandalism, UT to Weigh Future of Confederate Statues
On the same day that three statues commemorating Confederate leaders were vandalized at the University of Texas at Austin, campus leaders said they may soon decide whether to remove the statues.
